The Bund - Witness the Past and Present of Shanghai

The Bund stretches 1.5km on the west bank of Huangpu River (黄浦江). It begins at Waibaidu Bridge (外白渡桥) in the north and ends at Yan’an Road (延安路) in the south, which crosses Suzhou Creek (苏州河). The area centers on East Zhongshan No. 1 Road (中山东一路), facing the highly modern skyscrapers of Pudong (浦东), in the eastern part of Huangpu District.

Distance from other main Shanghai attractions:

• About 1.1km from Nanjing Road
• About 1.2km from Oriental Pearl TV Tower
• About 3.1km from Huangpu River
• About 1.3km from Yuyuan Garden

For the geographic location, it is recommended to cover The Bund and nearby attractions like Nanjing Road, Yu Garden & Bazaar and Jinmao Tower/Oriental Pearl TV Tower in one day.

The name “Bund” in Anglo-Indian terms means “the embankment of a muddy waterfront”. To know Shanghai, you must come to Shanghai Bund. Before the 1840s, Shanghai was a small seaside town and the Bund was once a muddy towpath for boats along Huangpu River. After First Opium War in 1842, Shanghai began to be an open port, and later the Bund was the first settlement of Great Britain. Many foreign powers entered Shanghai and erected their distinct Western-style banks and trading houses from the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Italy, Russia, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, and Belgium, as well as the consulates of Russia and Britain, etc. In the later 19th Century and 20th Century, Shanghai grew into Asia’s leading city, a cosmopolitan and thriving commercial and financial center. Known as “Oriental Wall Street”, the Bund was a historical miniature of colonial-era Shanghai.

Recommended Visiting Route

Travelers could visit the Bund either from north to south or from south to north. It is recommended to walk along the Bund which takes 1-2 hours.

At the northern end of the Bund, on the north bank of Suzhou Creek, rises the brick pile of Broadway Mansions, Russian Consulates, Astor House Hotel. Head south over Waibaidu Bridge and turn west to walk along Suzhou Creek until you reach the area known as the Back Bund. You won’t miss the Union Church which dates to 1885. Behind the church, you can catch a glimpse of the Former British Consulate and gardens, the first foreign building to go up in Shanghai. Follow to a row of beautiful old buildings, beginning with the Gothamesque China Baptist Publication Building. Turn left on Beijing East Road and head back towards the Bund waterfront. Then, head down Zhongshan East Road to see Jardine Matheson, Bank of China, and Peace Hotel. Reach Promenade to catch good view of the Pudong skyline. Continue to head down to see North China Daily News, Customs House, Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, Shanghai Club, etc. Just across the street is the 49m-tall Meteorological Signal Tower, originally built in 1908 opposite the French Consulate. Later, you’ll reach Yan’an Road which marks the end of the walk.

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Exploring the Bund in the daytime is quite different from that in the evening. From very early in the morning, before tourists gather here, local Shanghai people come to the riverbank to enjoy walking, jogging, doing exercises, and flying kites.

Moreover, during the daytime, travelers could overlook the modern Shanghai on the east bank of Huangpu River and see the landmarks and other buildings clearly. If time permits, get into some buildings and learn the background of the splendid architecture and history of Shanghai. Take a stroll along the Bund in the daytime, and you can explore the Lover’s Wall of 1,700 meters long, Monument to the People’s Heroes dedicated to Chinese patriots beginning in the 1840s, the Bund History Museum (09:00-16:15, free admission), Huangpu Park which originally was the British Public Gardens built-in 1868, and the Statue of Chenyi (陈毅) – Shanghai’s first mayor after 1949.

During the evening the buildings are closed but the Bund is spectacularly illuminated and the nocturnal views of Pudong are delicious. There are many riverboats cruising on the Huangpu River which makes the scene even more stunning.

Travelers can walk along either the west side of East Zhongshan No. 1 Rd or the elevated promenade on the other side of the road overlooking the Huangpu River and Pudong Area. Taking a cruise sailing on the Huangpu River is also recommended. It is very relaxing to feel the old Shanghai on one side and view the modern side on the other side.

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Lujiazui (陆家嘴) is located on the east side of the Huangpu River in Pudong and sits directly across Huangpu River from the Bund. On this modern land, there are many landmark buildings, like the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jinmao Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center and Shanghai Tower.

To appreciate the art of buildings, travelers could overlook the skyline of the Pudong Area from the Bund. For in-depth exploration, travelers could take the Bund Sightseeing Channel, Huangpu River Ferry, and Metro Line 2 to reach Lujiazui Area.

You are strongly suggested to take a relaxing Huangpu River Cruise along the Bund. It is the best way to see how the West meets East, tradition mixes with modernity in Shanghai. The skyscraper's view, especially at night is breathtaking. The cruise usually takes about 50 minutes to cruise in a round trip along the Huangpu River from the upper section of the Bund to downriver areas. It is available both in the daytime and at night, usually from 11:00 to 21:00. You can conveniently board the ship on the Shiliupu Pier (十六铺码头) or Qinhuangdao Pier (秦皇岛码头). The cruise charges only 120 RMB but very valuable. Learn more about Huangpu River Cruise >>

• Ticket: CNY 120 - 400 per person (you may need to contact us and book the cruise ticket espically during the peak season)

• Popular Cruise Route: Shiliupu Pier - Lujiazui - World Financial Center - Jinmao Tower - Shanghai Center - Oriental Pearl Tower - Yangpu bridge - North of the Bund - Magnolia Square - Wai Bai Du Bridge - Monument to the People's Heroes - the Bund - Wan Guo Building Expo Group - Shiliupu Pier

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The the Bund sightseeing tunnel is located in the Pudong New Area between Oriental Pearl TV Tower and the Nanjing East Road. It is a pioneering work in the history of tunnel construction. It is the first cross river pedestrian tunnel in China, with a total length of 646.70 meters, with a total construction area of nearly 17500 square meters. With the ocean themed lighting and shadow, it is like a dreamland. The entrance to the Bund sightseeing tunnel is located on the west side of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, on the south side of the International Conference Center, and the other entrance is located on the north side of Chen Yi square of Puxi.

Opening Hours: 09:00-21:30

• Ticket: CNY 50 person per way; CNY 70 for a round trip. (you may need to contact us and book the cruise ticket espically during the peak season)

On the west bank of the Huangpu River and lining with skyscrapers, exotic western old buildings, and traditional courtyards, the bund area is the most popular accommodation area in the heart of Shanghai. Filled with luxury vibes, the Bund is where you can find the most deluxe fancy hotels with the beautiful nightscape of Shanghai from your dwelling and the main attractions of Shanghai, top restaurants and high-end shopping area are located in this area.

• Top Rated Hotels on Tripadvisor (updated in Jan, 2021): Fairmont Peace Hotel, The Shanghai EDITION, The Peninsula Shanghai, The Westin Bund Center Shanghai, Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, Les Suites Orient, Bund Shanghai, Hyatt on the Bund, Shanghai Fish Inn East Nanjing Road

Best known as an international popular tourist destination, Shanghai perfectly preserves mixed culture of the western and eastern. The duration and theme of your Shanghai tour can be flexibly arranged based on your time and interests. Usually, tourists spend 2 days on sightseeing the most famous landmarks, including the Bund, Yu Garden, skyscrapers like Shanghai Tower, World Financial Center, Former French Concession, Shanghai Museum, etc. With one extra day, you can enjoy family fun in Disneyland Park or visit Zhujiajiao Water Town in the suburb. Don't miss the Shanghai Maglev Train, wonderful nightlife and Shanghai Cuisine.

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